The Secret Tibet (The Forbidden world)

Dharamshala: TibetPost-03-Feb-09-The 27 year old man sentence for throwing a shoe at Chinese premier, Wen Jiabao, will appear before the magistrates some time next week.  The shoe, thrown from the 20th row missed Wen, but the words of the protester were a direct hit, "How can this university prostitute itself with this dictator, how can you listen ... to him unchallenged," The protester spoke in reference to the human rights abuses enacted against the Tibetan people.  The premier's visit to Great Britain has been marked by protests over the China's treatment of Tibet.

Meanwhile the pro China supporters, closer in to the premier, kept quiet and allowed Wen to finish the rest of his address in an unsettled manner saying, "Teachers and students, this kind of dirty trick cannot stop the friendship between the Chinese and the British people," his remarks were followed by a mild applause.

Inside China there was considerable coverage of the premier's visit to Great Britain, but the protests and the show throwing are omitted.   The Foreign Ministry spokeswoman in a brief press release mentioned the shoe incident "Facts have shown that the despicable behavior of the perpetrator is extremely unpopular and can in no way stem the tide of the growing friendly relations and cooperation between China and Britain."

Chinese premier Wen Jiabao's visit to Great Britain has been hailed by Beijing as a friendly "tour of confidence," aimed primarily at stimulating trade relations between Great Britain and China.  Secondarily, the tour was intended to repairing tensions that the two countries had over Tibet, and human rights offenses.  Protesters, who have come out to support Tibet and human rights, have changed the central focus of the premier's visit.

Addressing a joint press conference on Monday with visiting Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao, Brown indicated that his country sought improvement on the human rights front in the world's most populous nation.

"The UK will continue through our regular dialogue to seek rapid progress towards all international human rights standards and I urge further dialogue on the Chinese Government to resolve the underlying issues in Tibet," the Prime Minister said.

Dharamshala: 23-January-2009-His Holiness the Dalai Lama has made a donation of $150,000 to help launch a new neuroscience research center called 'Center for Compassion and Altruism Research and Education'. H.H. is working with the Center's director, a Stanford University professor and neurosurgeon, Jim Doty, who has already donated millions of dollars to charities.

Many Buddhist and Catholic organization have also made sizeable donations to fund the center, amounting to $2 million so far. "His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, provided $150,000 in seed money for the center -- the largest sum he has ever given for a scientific venture -- and has agreed to return to Stanford for a future visit," said a Stanford press release.

During his keynote address at the Global Congress for World's Religions After September 11th in Delhi last weekend, His Holiness the Dalai Lama spoke of the positive human response to compassion. The Center's pedagogy follows those values he spoke of: it is focused in investigating how the brain deals with compassion and altruism and apply the findings to help improve people's lives.  

Doty hopes that the improvements will specifically surmount bullying among children and criminal relapse. His is also curious if the finding will show that better healthcare could produce the same benefit as prescription medication to prevent burnout, depression and anxiety.

However, there is concern that the center's support from other scientists may be hindered by its connection to a religious leader like His Holiness the Dalai Lama, since he has received criticism from scientist before after giving a keynote address at the Society for Neuroscience's annual meeting.

Concerning this 'crosstalk' between scientists and Buddhists, Chris Frith, a neuroscientist at University College London, expressed support and skepticism in 'New Scientist' magazine:  "Why would Buddhists be attracted to neuroscience, a more down-to-earth field? Should neuroscientists return their interest? As a practicing neuroscientist, my answer is: yes, up to point, but don't expect too much."

The Tibetan spiritual leader, His Holiness the Dalai Lama returned  to his residence in Dharamshala, from South India after several weeks of travel.

Dharamshala: TibetPost-21-January-2009-A monk, Lobsang, 27, from Kirti Monastery, Ngaba District, Eastern Tibet was arrested in a photocopy shop suspected of spreading and posting prayers and documents concerning Tibetan new year. He was student at the Youth Institution of Kirti Monastery and wrote many articles to Tibetan magazines and newspapers. He is also a member of the editorial board of "Mountain Peak Flower" magazine of Kirti Monastery.

The Chinese local authorities have distributed an announcement, forbidding all monasteries in Ngaba Prefecture from gathering together to hold any religious festivals or prayers this March. Each village from the prefecture has been ordered to celebrate their new year festival with singing and dancing. During new year, Chinese authorities will provide free fireworks and food. People who set-off fireworks on Palri Dhung Kyong Mountain, in front of Kirti Monastery, will be rewarded 50,000 Chinese yen.

Kharsar Monastery usually holds a traditional religious festival on 9 November, but local Chinese authorities have forbidden the festival. Ten Chinese Liberation Army soldiers come to the monastery every day and administer unwarranted room-by-room searches to make accusations and issue fines. But, Tibetans do not agree with or respect the orders. There is an unwritten rule amongst Tibetans, forbidding any Tibetan to set-off fireworks or accept the Chinese reward. Any who do will be expelled from the Tibetan community and their house and field seized. Also, during the new year, all must wear black clothes in mourning.

Dorjee and Kunga, both 33 years old, from Kirti Monastery, Ngaba District were sentenced around 6 September, 2008 to two years in prison to be served in Menyan region, 200 kilometers from Chendu, the capital of Sichun Province. Both were arrested at midnight on 23 May, 2008. They were arrested after refusing to cooperate when Chinese local authorities strengthened patriotic re-education in Kirti Monastery. Authorities have not disclosed the reason for their sentence.

Mr. Choephel, 33 years old, from Meu Ruma village, Ngaba District, has been sentenced to four years, currently in Menyan prison. A related person met him in the prison but Chinese authorities refused to allow them to meet in person or speak in Tibetan: they were forced to speak in Chinese through a telephone, limiting the conversation since Choephel speaks little Chinese. His left eye was swollen shut from facing continuous torture and Chinese authorities are not providing any medical facilities.

Usually, family or friends must present a citizenship card and receive permission from the local police office to meet any Tibetan prisoners.

This information provided by Kirti Monastery, Dharamsala to Ven. Monlam Tharin member of Tibetan Parliament in Exile, translated by Miss P. Schlesinger of The Tibet Post International, Dharamshala, India